Improvement in hats and caps



J. VAN GELDER. Hats and Caps.

No. 203,220. Pate nt'ed A ru iao, 1878 Wibnass E E; IWEITLT m1 NJETEks.PHDIO-UTHOGRAPHER. WASNXNGTON. D C.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.-

JOHN VAN GELDEB, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

IMPROVEMENT IN HATS AND CAPS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 203,220, dated April30, 1878; application filed April 23, 1878.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN VAN GELDER, of New York, in the county of NewYork and State of New York, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Hats and Qaps; and I do hereby declare the following tobe a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as willenable others skilled in the art to which it pertains to make and useit, reference being had to the accompanying drawin gs ,which form partof this specification.

My invention relates to an improvement in hats and caps.

It consists in the combination of a tip or lining and an ear-protector,the lining being made in two separate and distinct parts, the rear oneof which can be folded neatly into the hat, so as not to be noticed whenthe weather is not cold; but as soon as it is desired to muffle orprotectthe ears from the cold, this rear lining can be dropped down, soas to form ear-muffs, as will be more fully described hereinafter.

Figure 1 is a plan view of a hat, looking down upon its inside. Fig. 2is a side elevation, showing the lining drawn down so as to formear-muffs.

a represents a common hat, of any desired shape, size, or construction,as my invention is equally applicable to high and low hats and caps ofall kinds.

.The lining or tip of the hat is not made in one piece, as is usuallythe case, but is divided into two separate and distinct parts, for thesake of economy of material, the front part, 0, extending back only tothe dotted line just back of the center of the top of the head.

The rear portion of the lining is formed into the two paddedear-mufflers d, which, when not in use, can be folded down into the topof the hat, as shown in Fig. 1, so as to scarcely be noticeable, and yetgive the lining a very novel and pretty effect.

Whenever desired, these mufflers d may be drawn down, as shown in Fig.2, so as to protect the ears. After having been usedthey can be foldedback again, and by catching their front ends under the sweat-leatherthey form a part of the lining again.

The main object of my invention is to provide the more elegant dresshats with ameans of protection for the ears, without in any mannerdetracting from their appearance, and this I accomplish by combining thetip and mufflers in a single piece.

Of course, the lining may be made of silk,

satin, velvet, or any other material that may be preferred; and, if sodesired, the lining and mufflers may be made in a single piece, thoughin this case a larger quantity of material will be found necessary.

The shape of the rear part of the lining and muffs will differ slightlyin different-shaped hats but these changes will readily suggestthemselves to all experienced hatters.

I am aware that a cap has been made in which a muff is attached tothe-inside of the cap and adapted to be let down over the ears.

I am also aware that a cap has been made for firemen, and which isprovided with a lining that extends down over the whole head, and isprovided with a means for tying it around the neck to protect thefiremen from smoke, and these I disclaim.

Having thus described my invention, I claim- A hat or cap provided witha lining or tip,

having the mulfs 01 made as a part of it, and

which muffs can be folded into the hat so as to form a part of thelining, substantially as shown and described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing 1 have hereunto set my hand this236. day of April, 1878.

JOHN VAN GELDER. Witnesses:

R. M. BARR, F. A. LEHMANN.

